Listed Below Is A Situation That May Or May Not Violate Code

Listed Below Is A Situation That May Or May Not Violate Codes Of Ethic

Listed below is a situation that may or may not violate codes of ethics when working with families. Study the scenario carefully and then go to the codes of ethics for AAMFT, IAMFC, AACC, and ACA to find the ethical answers to the dilemmas presented. Be sure to record the code location on each ethical code where the violation or permission is given for the counselor to do what had been done (ex: AAMFT 2.2 or ACA B.7.2). You are a young, single, male counselor with your own private agency. You saw a family for a year in 2011.

During the counseling sessions, you realized there was an attraction between you and the oldest daughter. Since you did not want to hinder the therapeutic relationship you had built with the family, you did not pursue a romantic relationship nor did you say anything about your feelings. After one of the family sessions, the daughter mentions this attraction to you and admits her romantic feelings. You and she talk honestly about this and agree not to pursue this attraction. Later, the family seems to improve and the counseling is terminated.

It has been 24 months since your last counseling session, and you see the daughter of your former client at the gym. In a brief conversation, the two of you decide to have dinner together next week. Have you, as a professional counselor, conducted yourself in an ethical manner? In your reply, select another area of ethical importance that is often a struggle for counselors and cite the code of ethics that safeguards counselors. These areas might include financial issues, exploitive relationships, confidentiality issues, conflict of interest issues, supervision or lack thereof, etc.

You may use your codes of ethics for your reply. Your thread must be at least 500 words. Please be familiar with the subject if responding.

Paper For Above instruction

The scenario presented raises complex ethical considerations that counselors must navigate carefully to uphold professional standards. The primary issues involve boundaries, potential exploitation, and conflicts of interest that may emerge in post-therapy interactions. While initial conduct during therapy with the family, including the maintenance of professional boundaries despite personal feelings, aligns with ethical guidelines, subsequent actions and the current interaction warrant scrutiny.

In examining the situation, the first concern revolves around the potential for exploitation or harm due to the counselor's ongoing relationship with the client’s daughter after termination. According to the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics (2014), section B.6. emphasizes that counselors should avoid exploiting clients and former clients for personal gain (ACA, 2014). Engaging in social or personal relationships with former clients, especially those with whom a significant therapeutic history exists, can lead to exploitation or harm, either psychologically or professionally (Remley & Herlihy, 2014). The counselor’s decision to meet for dinner with the daughter, just two years after therapy, might be viewed as an exploitative relationship that could compromise the integrity of the counseling profession. It is essential that counselors maintain appropriate boundaries to prevent conflicts of interest, which can subtly influence their objectivity and professional judgment (Corey, 2017).

Furthermore, the situation highlights issues related to dual relationships, which are prohibited under many codes of ethics due to the risk they pose to clients’ well-being. Both the ACA and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) explicitly caution against dual or multiple relationships that might impair objectivity or lead to exploitation (AAMFT, 2015, I.4; ACA, 2014, A.5). Although the current interaction is outside the therapy context, the prior therapeutic relationship and subsequent social engagement create a dual relationship that can compromise the counselor’s impartiality and affect the client's welfare. The ethics codes recommend that counselors avoid such dual relationships or, if unavoidable, manage them transparently and ethically (Barnett, 2018).

Another significant ethical consideration is confidentiality and privacy. The current incidental encounter at the gym does not involve disclosure of confidential information, but the informal decision to meet socially may influence future interactions, risking boundary blurring. Ethical practice mandates maintaining clear professional boundaries even outside formal sessions to prevent conflicts of interest and preserve the integrity of the therapeutic relationship (American Counseling Association, 2014, B.1. & B.2.). As a young professional, awareness and proactive boundary management are vital to uphold the trust placed in counselors by clients and prevent ethical violations.

Beyond boundaries and dual relationships, financial exploitative issues are rarely relevant in this scenario but remain a critical aspect of ethical vigilance. Counselors should ensure that no form of financial or material exploitation occurs, especially when reconnecting with former clients, as such relationships can blur roles and power dynamics (Remley & Herlihy, 2014). Ensuring transparency and avoiding conflicts of interest related to personal gains are core ethical principles.

In conclusion, while the initial ethical conduct during therapy appeared appropriate, the subsequent social interaction raises concerns regarding dual relationships and potential exploitation. Ethical guidelines from ACA and AAMFT explicitly caution against social or romantic relationships with former clients and emphasize the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries to safeguard clients’ welfare and the integrity of the counseling profession. As counselors, maintaining professional boundaries, adhering to confidentiality, and managing dual relationships are ongoing commitments that require vigilance, self-awareness, and adherence to ethical codes to prevent harm and uphold public trust.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2015). AAMFT code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
• Barnett, J. E. (2018). Ethical Challenges in Dual Relationships. Journal of Counseling & Development, 96(2), 175-180.
• Corey, G. (2017). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Cengage Learning.
• Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2014). Ethics in Counseling and Human Services. Pearson.